Kwara State to Emerge as Africa's Innovation Hub, Says Commissioner

Date: 2024-12-07

The Commissioner for Business, Innovation, and Tourism in Kwara State, Damilola Adelodun, has expressed confidence in the state's potential to emerge as a global hub for high technology and innovation, akin to Silicon Valley in California, USA.

Adelodun highlighted the state's strategic investments in tech infrastructure and innovation hubs, which he believes will attract world-class companies and position Kwara as a leader in the tech ecosystem.

Silicon Valley, renowned as the headquarters for tech giants such as Apple Inc., HP Inc., eBay, and Netflix, serves as an inspiration for Kwara's vision to transform its economy through technological innovation and entrepreneurship.

Speaking about the activities of her ministry, Adelodun said, “In terms of legacy, one of the key projects I have been lucky to head is the Ilorin Innovation Hub. It is more of a large ICT centre, which is arguably the biggest in West Africa. We also have a partnership with IHS Towers, and there is a fund of about N1bn earmarked for the running and for the programmes, training, as well as start-ups and venture capitals that would come here. We have a mandate to at least bring up two unicorns before the end of 2025.”

Reacting to critics who are of the opinion that the state is not a technology hub and should focus on other pressing issues, the young and beautiful government official said, “Interestingly enough, Kwara State has a big tech community. There are a lot of tech businesses started by Kwarans, including Kuda Bank. So, in terms of a tech hub, Kwara is it, and we want it to be the next Silicon Valley. If you think tech, we want you to think Kwara; not Lagos or Abuja. That is the vision for Ilorin Innovation Hub.”

Shedding more light on why the state recently hosted the Best of Nollywood Awards, the commissioner said, “The Sugar Film Factory, where the event was held, is under the purview of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Technology. People often forget that entertainment and culture have a business element to them. That was why we refurbished the rundown facility, which used to be a sugar factor. The studio is currently equipped for news, podcast and movie productions. We also have a training institute for youths, actors and filmmakers.

“In sponsoring and hosting BON, we looked at the benefit it could bring to the state, especially in terms of showcasing Kwara. I think it was very successful and we are looking forward to have more in the state.

“Many of the actors, filmmakers and creatives who attended the event loved what they saw, and many of them already have plans to do things in the state.”

 

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Okanlawon Musa     Samuel Adaramola     Abdulfatai Ahmed     Aliyu Olatunji Ajanaku     All Confederation Of Principals Of Secondary Schools     Jimoh Saadudeen Muhammed     Halimah Perogi     National Party Of Nigeria     Offa Descendants Union     Oluwole Dupe     Baba Isale     Alimi Abdulrazaq     Abdulganiyu Salahudeen     Egbejila     Gbugbu International Market     Abdulwahab Oba     Emmanuel Bello     Farouk Salim     Convocation Ceremonies     Students Union Government     Millennium Development Goals     Abubakar Aliagan     Moses Salami     Tafida     Ayo Opadokun     Oluranti Idowu     Yahaya A Paniyaro     Tunji Moronfoye     Alimi     Neuropsychiatric Hospital     Abdullahi Atanda     Mary Arinde     Bolakale Kawu Agaka     Sarakite     Wole Oke     Hijaab     Yusuf A. Usman     VADA     Samari     Idris Amosa Saidu     Bayo Onimago     Suleiman Alege Kuranga     Pategi     Mansurat Amuda-Kannike     Ohoro Of Shao     Ajuloopin     Kwara NIPR     Ajeigbe     CKNG     Ahmed Bolaji Nagode     Ilorin General Hospital     Ilorin Airport     Abubakar Bature Sulu-Gambari     Kwara State Pension Board     Umar Bayo Abdulwahab     Turaki Of Ilorin     Toyin Abdullahi     Kwara United     Kwara 2023     Olohungbebe     Boko Haram     Tanke Road     Sunday Fagbemi     Muhammad Sirajo Aliyu     Ibrahim Gambari     Road Transport Employers Association Of Nigeria     Iyabo Adewuyi     Adamu Attah     IF-K     Jimba Babatunde     Ileloke     Association Of Kwara State Online Media Practitioners     Deji Ajani     Erubu Oba Zubair     Owo Arugbo     Shehu Raheem Adaramaja     Dan Iya    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Mohammed Halidu     Ministry Of Women Affairs And Social Development     State Bureau Of Internal Revenue     Yakub Ali-Agan     Oluranti Idowu     SAPZ Project     Naira Redesign     Abdulmumini Sanni Jawondo     Bamidele Aluko     Abdulkarim Adisa     Otunba Taiwo Joseph     Ayegbeni     Bolaji Gambari     LEAH Charity Foundation     Convocation Ceremonies     Mohammed Lawal     Ilorin South     Abdulrazaq Sanni     Amasa     Awoye     Senior Special Assistant On Student Affairs     Bio Ibrahim     Voices Of Tomorrow     Okiki     T And K FOODS     Sheikh Ridhwanullah     Yusuf Amuda Aluko     Sheikh Ridhwanullah El-ilory     Emmanuel Olatunji Adesoye     Forgo Battery Company Limited     Ahmed Mohammed Rifun     CBT     Royal FM     Smart School     Hikmah AbdulKareem     Micheal Imoudu     Olatunji Abdulmumeen     Marafan Shonga     Gbenga Adebayo     KWIRS     Apata Ajele Secondary School     Mazars Consulting     Siraj Oyewale     Kishira     Tsaragi/Share     Matthew Babaoye     Kwara     Babatunde Idiagbon     Police Commissioner     Bank Of Industry     TIIDELab     Curfew     Universal Basic Education Commission     Bello Taoheed Abubakar     Baaziki Sulaiman     Muhammed Akanbi     Rebecca Bake     Saliu Mustapha     Lithium     Sambo Murtala     Isiaka Rafiu Mope     Apaola     Lola Ashiru     Osinbajo     Haashim Initiative For Community Advancement     Aasiyat Bello Oyedepo     Ridhwanullah Al-Ilory     Raliat Elelu-Habeeb     Adamu B. Yaqubu     Local Government     Centre For Digital Economy     Suleiman Mora Omar     Idiagbon     EFCC     Umar Ahmed Gunu     Amina El-Imam     Rafiu Ajakaye